The Long Way Home
Ashley Borden left Birmingham 25 years ago — if not kicking and screaming, at least reluctantly — for her husband Mark to pursue a wonderful opportunity in Houston. She was promised a return, and she finally got it in 2022. “At first, I thought we might just buy a second-home condo, but I soon realized I wanted my everyday life to be in Birmingham,” says Ashley. “I wanted to host family and friends, and I had a lifelong dream of building a house.”
Serendipity must have been at play when Ashley discovered the perfect lot for sale. She talked to her agent who had never heard of the street, though it’s a stone’s throw from everything. Tucked away and out of sight, Mountain Ridge Parkway is a community of homes with spectacular views of twinkling city lights.
A Shared Vision
The empty nesters called on old friends who introduced them to architect Scott Carlisle of Carlisle Moore and interior designer Sumner Starling. “Ashley and I share a very good friend who recommended me with the understanding that if anything went south, she would stay neutral,” says Sumner. “I had never worked with Scott before, but we all played so well together; he drew such a gorgeous house that was an honor to decorate.”
The couple landed on a riff of a classic Georgian-style home noted for its symmetry in the façade, as well as a center hall with equal-sized rooms on either side and a front entryway with a stairwell. Scott also worked with landscape architect Dave Eyrich to help site the house. “A project like this is really about taking the best advantage of the views, but access is also at the forefront,” Scott says.
“I really wanted this house to be a departure from what I had in Houston. I wanted it to be lighter with a fresh attitude. Sumner understood that, and we had the best time.”
-Ashley Borden, homeowner
A Modern Take on Georgian Tradition
The Georgian-inspired house, designed by architect Scott Carlisle, hugs the mountain, allowing space for a private deck at the top level. Low plantings let the windows and door take center stage, while an arch inset into the exterior front wall features climbing vines and elegant landscaping by Dave Eyrich.
One wish on Ashley’s list was a private balcony/terrace, so the primary bedroom was placed upstairs. However, Scott notes that “the lot is so steep that even at the basement level, you are still getting a good view.”
As Ashley says, “Scott is an artist in every sense, who just happens to be a great architect. He realized everything we wanted from the start; his first draft was it.”
The Rooms She’d Always Wanted
See the interiors of the Mountain Ridge Parkway House
Resources
Interior design: Sumner Starling and Anne Hurley, Starling Interiors Architect: T. Scott Carlisle, Carlisle Moore Architects Builder: Davis Construction Services LLC Landscape: Dave Eyrich, RLA, Dave Eyrich & Associates, LLC Pavers: FireRock Furniture on covered patio: LEE Industries through Circa Interiors & Antiques Fabrics: Schumacher Olive jar: Architectural Heritage Hardware: Brandino Brass Plumbing and tile: Fixtures & Finishes Countertops: Triton Stone Group Appliances: AllSouth Appliance Group, Inc. Cabinets: Hamm Cabinet
